CN110962714A

CN110962714A - Pitch and slide seat latch with tolerance and free motion compensation features

Info

Publication number: CN110962714A
Application number: CN201910923813.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丹尼尔·比亚西·达席尔瓦; 雷纳托·拉莫斯·扬努齐; 约瑟·德梅洛多内拉斯
Original assignee: Magna Closures Inc
Current assignee: Magna Closures Inc
Priority date: 2018-09-28
Filing date: 2019-09-27
Publication date: 2020-04-07
Also published as: US20200108736A1; DE102019126098A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a latch for a motor vehicle seat assembly and vehicle closure panel that includes a housing and a hook assembly pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement between a striker capture position and a striker release position. The hook assembly includes a first member pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and a second member pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis. An intermediate spring member is disposed between the first member and the second member. The intermediate spring member imparts a bias between the first member and the second member to bias the second member into engagement with the striker when in the striker capture position. The first member pivots relative to the second member about a first pivot axis when the first member pivots toward the striker releasing position.

Description

Pitch and slide seat latch with tolerance and free motion compensation features

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/738,490, filed on 28.9.2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to passenger vehicle seat assemblies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to passenger vehicle seat assemblies and seat latches for passenger vehicle seat assemblies.

Background

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure that is not necessarily prior art.

A folding and/or removable passenger vehicle seat assembly is typically hinged to swing between a secured (latched) position and a released (unlatched) position. When in the latched position, the seat assembly is ready for normal use, and when in the unlatched position, the seat assembly can be pivoted/folded relative to the floor of the vehicle, for example, to allow the passenger to more freely enter and exit, and/or the seat assembly can be removed from the vehicle, for example, to increase cargo space within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Typically, the passenger vehicle seat assembly includes a latch that is actuatable to allow the seat assembly to be unlatched to move from a latched position to an unlatched position and to allow the seat assembly to be latched to move from the unlatched position to the latched position. Latches typically have a metal hook that is selectively movable from a metal striker (locking pin) capture position, where a striker fixed to a floor surface of a vehicle is retained (captured) by the hook, to a striker release position, where the striker is released from the hook, allowing the seat to pivot and/or be removed. While in the striker capture position, the seat must remain stationary to meet the operating and regulatory requirements of the motor vehicle.

While commercially available seat assemblies and latches for seat assemblies are capable of meeting all motor vehicle operating and regulatory requirements, recognizing that there is still a need to improve the technology and provide enhanced functionality to extend service life while minimizing the effort required for its intended actuation to reduce the noise generated by the latch in use, these seat assemblies and latches for these seat assemblies are: reliable and easy to use, economical to manufacture and assemble, and minimizes package size and weight. Currently, there remains a problem with the above needs. For example, frictional forces between a metal hook and a metal striker may result in release forces greater than desired, while sloshing (freedom of movement, also referred to as "play" or "free movement") between the hook and the striker may result in vibration and noise. Furthermore, the economics of manufacture and assembly may be adversely affected because tight tolerances between the interconnected components of the latch must be met, as well as the tolerances required between the latch hook and the striker pin. In addition, weight remains an issue for all metal parts.

In view of the foregoing, there remains a need to develop alternative seat assemblies and latches for alternative seat assemblies that address and overcome the limitations associated with known seat assemblies.

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not intended to be construed as a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all aspects, features, and structural configurations of the disclosure.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a seat assembly for an automotive vehicle that addresses at least those issues discussed above.

A related aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a latch for a passenger seat assembly of an automotive vehicle that addresses at least those problems discussed above.

A related aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a latch for a closure panel of a motor vehicle, such as a vehicle side door, trunk lid, hood or interior vehicle closure panel, such as a glove box or center console, that addresses at least those problems discussed above.

A related aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a latch having a hook assembly that releases the striker with minimal release effort while providing reliable and repeatable selective (manual or via motor drive assisted, intended) actuation of the latch to move the latch from a striker capture position to a striker release position when desired.

In a related aspect, the hook assembly is configured to maintain a rattle-free engagement with the striker pin to achieve desired vibration-free, quiet operation of the vehicle seat during use of the vehicle.

In accordance with these and other aspects, a latch for a motor vehicle seat assembly is provided. The latch includes a housing and a hook assembly pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement between a striker capture position and a striker release position. The hook assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member is pivotally supported for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and the second member is pivotally supported for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis. The first member pivots relative to the second member. An intermediate spring member disposed between the first and second members imparts a bias between the first and second members when in the striker capture position to bias the second member into engagement with the striker, thereby enhancing smooth, quiet, vibration-free operation of the latch and seat assembly during use of the vehicle. The first member pivots about the first pivot axis relative to the second member when the first member pivots toward the striker release position to promote smooth, reduced release effort of the hook assembly of the latch from the striker.

In another related aspect, the first and second members may be pivotally supported by the housing via separate pivot pins.

In another related aspect, an intermediate spring member acting between the first member and the second member can be configured to impart a varying spring load during movement of the hook assembly from the striker capture position toward the striker release position, thereby further reducing the release effort of the latch.

In another related aspect, an intermediate spring member acting between the first member and the second member may have a first end attached to the first member and a second end attached to the second member to impart a bias directly between the first member and the second member.

According to another aspect, a first spring member can be disposed between the housing and the first member to impart a bias to the first member to bias the first member toward the striker capture position.

According to another aspect, the first spring member may have a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to the first member to impart a bias directly between the housing and the first member.

According to another aspect, the second member may be made of a low friction polymeric material so as to be lightweight and economical to manufacture, and also have a low coefficient of friction so as to slide against the striker to promote low release effort of the latch and also promote reduced vibration and noise between the second member and the striker.

According to another aspect, the first member may be made of a high strength metal material, thereby enhancing the durability and robustness of the hook assembly.

According to another aspect, the first member may be provided as at least one substantially planar (flat, having generally parallel, planar opposing sides) hook member.

According to another aspect, the second member may be provided having a pair of substantially planar, planar side walls spaced from one another in generally parallel relationship by a gap, wherein the first member is provided for pivotal movement within the gap such that the side walls may function to guide and stabilize the first member during pivotal movement of the first member relative to the second member.

According to another aspect, the first member may include a plurality of substantially planar hook-shaped members disposed in the gap of the second member to increase the load capacity of the latch while improving the economical manufacture of the latch by: it is not necessary to increase the material thickness of individual ones of the first members so that the first members can all be made of separate, individual, relatively thin pieces of metallic material and then stacked in abutting, mating relationship with one another.

According to another aspect, a motor vehicle seat assembly for releasable and/or adjustable securement to a floor surface of a motor vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes a padded seat surface and a frame member supporting the surface with one of a latch or a striker secured to the frame member, wherein the other of the latch or the striker is secured to a floor surface. The latch includes a housing and a hook assembly pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement between a striker capture position in which the hook assembly captures and retains the striker to retain the seat assembly in the use condition and a striker release position in which the hook assembly releases the striker to allow the seat assembly to pitch and optionally slide and/or remove. The hook assembly includes a first member and a second member. A first member is pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis, and a second member is pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis spaced apart from and spaced apart from the first pivot axis. An intermediate spring member is disposed between the first and second members to impart a bias between the second and first members when in the striker capture position to bias the second member into engagement with the striker, thereby enhancing smooth, quiet operation of the latch and seat assembly during use of the vehicle. The first member pivots relative to the second member when the first member pivots about the first pivot axis with the first member pivoting toward the striker release position, thereby enhancing smooth, quiet, reduced release effort of the latch.

According to another aspect, a method of reducing release force of a latch of a seat assembly from a striker capture position, at which a hook assembly captures and retains a striker to retain the seat assembly in a use condition, to a striker release position, at which the hook assembly releases the striker to allow the seat assembly to pitch and optionally slide and/or remove relative to a vehicle floor panel is provided. The method includes providing a hook assembly of a latch having a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is configured to engage and lock with a striker pin when in a striker pin capture position. Further, the second member of the hook assembly is configured to pivot out of engagement with the striker pin under the bias of the intermediate spring member directly in response to pivotal movement of the first member, thereby causing the bias of the intermediate spring member against the first member.

According to another aspect, the method may further include configuring the intermediate spring member to impart a varying spring load between the first member and the second member during movement of the hook assembly from the striker capture position toward the striker release position.

According to another aspect, the method may further include reducing noise of the latch when in the striker capture position by biasing and maintaining the second member in constant engagement with the striker under the bias applied by the intermediate spring member when the latch is in the striker capture position.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a latch for a motor vehicle closure panel including a striker is provided, the latch including a housing and a hook assembly pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement between a striker capture position in which the hook assembly captures and retains the striker to retain the vehicle closure panel in a closed condition and a striker release position in which the hook assembly releases the striker to allow the vehicle closure panel to move to an open condition. The hook assembly includes a first member and a second member. A first member is pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and a second member is pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is spaced from the second pivot axis and the first member pivots relative to the second member about the first pivot axis. An intermediate resilient coupling is provided between the first and second members. The intermediate resilient coupling imparts a bias between the first member and the second member to bias the second member into engagement with the striker when in the striker capture position.

According to another illustrative embodiment, there is provided such a latch for a motor vehicle closure panel including a striker, the latch including a housing, a hook assembly pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement between a striker capture position in which the hook assembly captures and retains the striker to retain the vehicle closure panel in a closed condition, and a striker release position in which the hook assembly releases the striker to allow the vehicle closure panel to move to an open condition. The hook assembly includes a first member and a second member. A first member is pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and a second member is pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is spaced from the second pivot axis and the first member pivots about the first pivot axis relative to the second member, wherein the first and second members are coplanar.

According to another aspect, a method of reducing vibration of a striker retained in a striker capture position by a latch, such as a latch for a seat assembly or vehicle closure panel, is provided. The method comprises the following steps: providing a hook assembly of a latch, the hook assembly having a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is configured to pivot into engagement with the striker under the bias of the intermediate resilient link to thereby latch with the striker when in a striker capture position; and configuring the second member of the hook assembly to pivot directly in response to pivotal movement of the first member during movement of the hook assembly from the striker capture position toward the striker release position.

According to another aspect, a method of reducing vibration of a striker retained by a latch in a striker capture position can comprise: the intermediate resilient link is configured to impart a constant load between the first and second members when the hook assembly is in the striker capture position, thereby minimizing the possibility of vibration and noise generation between the first and second members.

According to another aspect, a method of reducing vibration of a striker retained by a latch in a striker capture position can include configuring an intermediate resilient link to impart a variable load between a first member and a second member as a hook assembly moves from the striker capture position toward a striker release position to reduce release effort of the latch.

Drawings

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an automotive vehicle equipped with a closure panel and seat assembly having a latch constructed in accordance with and embodying the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is another partial perspective view of an automotive vehicle illustrating a seat assembly having a latch constructed in accordance with and embodying the teachings of the present disclosure;

figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a latch associated with the seat assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an assembled front perspective view of the latch shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the seat assembly including a latch shown in a striker capture position;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of encircled area 4A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion of the latch as shown in FIG. 4 in a striker capture position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the hook assembly of the latch in a striker capture position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the hook assembly as it begins to open from the striker capture position toward the striker release position;

FIG. 6A is a side view of the hook assembly as generally shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating the hook assembly continuing to open from the striker capture position toward the striker release position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating the hook assembly as it continues to open from the striker capture position toward the striker release position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, illustrating the hook assembly in a striker pin release position;

FIG. 9A is a side view of the hook assembly as generally shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a hook assembly of the latch in a striker capture position constructed in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reducing the release effort of the latch of the seat assembly and vehicle closure panel from the striker capture position to the striker release position to allow pivotal movement of the seat assembly relative to the vehicle floor panel while also reducing vibration of the striker while remaining in the striker capture position;

FIG. 12A is a graph illustrating force of a first spring member versus time during a latch release sequence;

FIG. 12B is a graph illustrating force of the intermediate spring member versus time during a latch release sequence; and

fig. 12C is a graph illustrating release effort versus time during a latch release sequence.

Corresponding reference numerals, which are different by various factors as indicated, are used throughout the figures to identify common components.

Detailed Description

In general, example embodiments of a vehicle closure panel, a seat assembly, and a latch for a vehicle closure panel and seat assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure will now be disclosed. These example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that: specific details need not be utilized and example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques have not been described in detail since they would be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless specifically indicated as an order of execution, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their execution in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in the same manner (e.g., "between …" and "directly between …", "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "lower," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "top," "bottom," and the like, may be used herein to facilitate description of one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated a number of degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Fig. 1 and 1A illustrate a partial perspective view of a motor vehicle 10, the motor vehicle 10 having a vehicle closure panel shown by way of example and without limitation as a passenger swing door and referred to hereinafter as door 11, the door 11 being hinged to the vehicle body for movement between a closed position and an open position. The door 11 includes an inside door handle 13, an outside door handle 13', and a closure latch assembly, also referred to hereinafter as a latch assembly, latch mechanism or latch 16, constructed according to one aspect of the disclosure and positioned on an edge face of the door 11. A connecting device (shown in phantom lines), such as, by way of example and not limitation, a bowden cable, is shown operatively interconnecting the latch 16 with the inside and outside door handles 13, 13'. As will be detailed, the latch 16 includes a latch mechanism configured to releasably latch to a striker 20 ', the striker 20 ' being fixed to the vehicle body 21 '. While the closure member is illustrated as a vehicle occupant swing door 14, it should be understood that the latch 16, which will be described in greater detail, may also be adapted for use with alternative closure members, such as, but not limited to, liftgates, tailgates, hatch doors, sliding doors, decklids, and/or engine compartment covers.

As shown in more detail in fig. 1A, the vehicle 10 further includes a floor panel 12, the floor panel 12 supporting the seat assembly 14 such that selective (intentionally actuated) actuation of the seat assembly 14 via a latch 16 (separate from but having the same features as discussed below with respect to the latch discussed above for the door 14, and thus, hereinafter with reference to the latch 16, wherein it is understood that the latch 16 is of the same latch used for the vehicle closure panel 11 and/or the seat assembly 14) results in pivotal movement and sliding movement on and/or optional removal from the floor panel 12. By way of example and not limitation, the latch 16 is shown located near the rear region 17 of the seat assembly 14, and is also shown secured to a rear portion of a frame member 21 of the vehicle body 21' that supports the padded seat surface 15 of the seat assembly 14, such as to a frame member rear pillar 19 (fig. 4). When the latch 16 is intentionally actuated, the seat assembly 14 may pivot/fold/pitch (pitch) in the direction of arrow a to allow more free ingress and egress for passengers and/or the seat assembly 14 may slide and optionally be removed from the vehicle 10, such as to increase cargo space within the passenger compartment 18 of the vehicle 10. As will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein, the latch 16 is configured to provide a zero-backlash (slop) engagement with a locking pin, also referred to as an anchor pin or striker 20, thereby minimizing vibration and relative movement between the latch 16 and the striker 20 when in a striker capture position and during actuation, and thus minimizing noise generation, and facilitating enhanced, reliable and repeatable low-force actuation (minimum expected force required to selectively actuate the latch 16), while also being economical to manufacture, having a reduced weight, and having a long useful life.

Referring first to fig. 2, the latch 16 of the closure latch assembly 20 is shown as having a housing 22 and a hook assembly 24, by way of example and not limitation, the housing 22 being shown as including an inboard bracket, also referred to as an inner panel 22a, and an outboard bracket, also referred to as an outer panel 22b, the hook assembly 24 being pivotally mounted to the housing 22 and within the housing 22 for pivotal movement between a striker capture position and a striker release position (fig. 9 and 9A), in the striker capture position, the hook assembly 24 captures and retains the striker 20 to maintain the door 11 in the closed condition and the seat assembly 14 in the use condition (figures 1A, 4 and 5), in the striker release position, the hook assembly 24 releases the striker 20 to allow the door 11 to move to the open state and the seat assembly 14 to pitch and optionally move via sliding in the direction of arrow a (fig. 1A) and then be removed from the vehicle 10. The hook assembly 24 includes a first hook, also referred to as a ratchet, main hook, hook member or first member 26, and a second hook, also referred to as a tie member, fastener or second member 28. The first member 26 is pivotally mounted in the housing 22, such as via a first pin, also referred to as a hook pivot pin 30, shown by way of example and without limitation as being mounted to the housing 22 for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis 32 of the hook pivot pin 30, and the second member 28 is pivotally mounted in the housing 22, such as via a second pin, also referred to as a tie pivot pin 34, shown by way of example and without limitation as being mounted to the outer plate 22b of the housing 22 for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis 36 of the tie pivot pin 34. The second pivot axis 36 is laterally spaced from the first pivot axis 32, with the first and second pivot axes 32, 36 shown extending parallel to one another. An intermediate resilient coupling member, also referred to as an intermediate spring member 38, such as a cinch spring member, is disposed between the first and

second members

26, 28, the intermediate spring member 38 being shown as a torsion spring by way of example and not limitation, wherein the intermediate spring member 38 imparts a bias between the second and

first members

28, 26 to bias the second member 28 into engagement with the striker 20, 20' when the hook assembly 24 is in the striker capture position to enhance smooth, vibration-free, quiet operation of the latch 16 and seat assembly 14 during use of the vehicle 10. Further, the first and

second members

26, 28 pivot relative to each other, wherein the first member 26 pivots about the first pivot axis 32 relative to the second member 28 as the first member 26 pivots toward the striker releasing position, thereby further enhancing the smooth, reduced release effort of the latch 16.

The first member 26 comprises at least one substantially flat, planar, hook-shaped member, such as by way of example and not limitation a stamped high strength metal member, having opposing flat sides in generally parallel relationship to one another, and the first member 26 is shown in fig. 2 as a single hook-shaped member 26 having an attachment end 40 and an opposing hook-shaped end 41. The attachment end 40 has an opening 42, the opening 42 being sized for receiving the hook pivot pin 30 therethrough, wherein the hook pivot pin 30 has opposite ends configured for attachment within the

openings

44a, 44b of the respective inner and

outer housing panels

22a, 22 b. The hook pivot pin 30 has a journal surface 31, the journal surface 31 being sized for pivotal movement of the first member 26 on the journal surface 31, and the hook pivot pin 30 further includes a surface 33, the surface 33 being configured for receiving an annular spacer 35 on the surface 33, wherein the spacer 35 helps maintain the first member 26 and ultimately the second member 28 in laterally aligned relationship between the inner and

outer housing plates

22a, 22b for pivotal movement of the first member 26 between the inner and

outer housing plates

22a, 22b as desired. The first member 26 is also shown as having a spring retention feature, such as a through opening 46 or otherwise, for operatively attaching a first end 47 of the intermediate spring member 38 therein, while an opposite second end 48 of the intermediate spring member 38 is configured for operative attachment to the second member 28, such as by way of example and without limitation, in a through opening 50 in the second member 28. To facilitate selective pivotal actuation of the hook assembly 24, the first member 26 has an actuation member, such as an actuation rod or actuation cable 51 (fig. 4), attached to the first member 26, the actuation member being shown attached via a pin 57 secured in a through opening 53, the through opening 53 being located between the attachment end 40 and the hook end 41, wherein the actuation member 51 is actuatable via the door 11 and/or an actuator 53 within the passenger compartment 18, such as via the inside door handle 13 and/or the outside door handle 13' (for the door 11) and/or a handle, lever, knob, button, or other member operable to selectively actuate (pull) the actuation member 51 (for the seat assembly 14).

A hook spring member, also referred to as a first spring member 52, is disposed between the housing 22 and the first member 26. A first end 54 of the first spring member 52 is configured to be operatively attached to one of the inner and

outer plates

22a, 22b, and is shown secured within a through opening 56 of the inner plate 22a by way of example and not limitation (fig. 4A), while an opposite second end 55 of the first spring member 52 is configured to be operatively attached to the first member 26, shown received in abutment with a notch shoulder 58. By way of example and not limitation, the first spring member 52 is shown as a torsion spring that is preloaded to impart a bias to the first member 26 to bias the first member 26 toward the striker pin capture position.

By way of example and not limitation, the second member 28 is shown as having a pair of substantially flat,

planar sidewalls

60a, 60b extending from a first end, also referred to as an attachment end 61, to a second end 63, with the

sidewalls

60a, 60b being spaced from one another in a generally parallel relationship by a gap 62. The gap 62 has a substantially uniform width extending between the sidewalls 60a, 60b, wherein the width is dimensioned such that the first member 26 can be disposed in the gap 62 in a slight clearance relationship with the

sidewalls

60a, 60b such that the first member 26 can freely pivot within the gap 62 in a clearance relationship with the

sidewalls

60a, 60b relative to the second member 28. In other words, the first member 26 is disposed in a nested arrangement with the second member 28. The second member 28 can be disposed to directly contact the striker pin 20, 20 ', while the first member 26 can be disposed not to directly contact the striker pin 20, 20'. The first member 26 may directly contact the second member 28, for example if vibration of the striker 20, 20' causes the second member 28 to contact the first member 26 after overcoming the bias of the intermediate spring member 38. The first and

second members

26, 28 can be configured such that the

members

26, 28 pivot in similar rotational directions during operations such as a cinching or releasing operation, pivoting in a clockwise direction as viewed in the figures for cinching the striker toward the striker capture position, and pivoting in a counterclockwise direction for releasing the striker from the striker capture position. Thus, during at least a portion of the latch release operation, the first and

second members

26, 28 are pivotable relative to one another, with the intermediate spring member 38 regulating relative rotation between the first and

second members

26, 28 via the operative spring force of the intermediate spring member 38. Attachment end 61 has an opening 64, opening 64 being sized for receiving tie pivot pin 34 through opening 64, wherein tie pivot pin 34 has opposite ends, with at least one end 66 configured for attachment to one of the respective inner and

outer housing panels

22a, 22b, and shown by way of example and without limitation as being attached within opening 67 of outer housing panel 22 b. The second member 28 may be constructed of a metallic material, but is preferably molded from a low friction polymeric material so as to be lightweight and economical to manufacture, and also to facilitate low release effort by providing minimal dynamic sliding friction against the striker 20, 20'.

The inner and

outer plates

22a, 22b of the housing 22 may be secured to one another in any desired manner, and are shown as being attached to one another by way of example and without limitation via a plurality of pins 68, shown as a pair, secured within corresponding

openings

70a, 70b of the inner and

outer plates

22a, 22 b. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that other fastening mechanisms may be used, such as threaded fasteners, welding, or otherwise.

In use, although specifically discussed with respect to the seat assembly 14, it should be appreciated that the same discussion applies equally to the door 11, with the seat assembly 14 in a locked use position of the seat assembly 14 (corresponding to the door 11 being in a closed condition or closed position), the latch 16 being in a striker capture position of the latch 16 (fig. 5). When in the striker capture position (fig. 5), the first spring member 52 biases the first member in a Clockwise (CW) direction as viewed in fig. 5 to the striker capture position. As such, the first member 26 biases the second member 28 against the striker 20, with the intermediate spring member 38 also serving to bias the second member 28 against the striker 20 such that zero sloshing between the first and

second members

26, 28 and between the second member 28 and the striker 20 is achieved as long as the hook assembly 24 remains in the striker capture position. Thus, vibration between the first member 26 and the second member 28 and between the second member 28 and the striker 20 is prevented, and therefore, any noise caused by vibration is kept to a minimum, particularly where the second member 28 is constructed of a polymeric (plastic) noise damping material, as opposed to where the second member 28 is constructed of metal.

Then, when it is desired to release the seat assembly 14 from the locked condition of the seat assembly 14 to allow the seat assembly 14 to pivot in the direction of arrow a and to allow the seat assembly 14 to be selectively removed from the floor surface 12, the actuator 53 may be selectively activated whereupon the actuating member 51 biases the first member 26 to pivot about the first pivot axis 32 in a counterclockwise (CCW) direction against the bias of the first spring member 52, as seen in fig. 6 and 6A. When the first member 26 pivots about the first pivot axis 32 along the CCW between time intervals 0 to time 0 (fig. 12A-12C), the middle spring member 38 is allowed to relax and expand from the compressed state of the middle spring member 38 due to its internal spring force. Because the intermediate spring member 38 is attached to both the first member 26 and the second member 28, and because the intermediate spring member 38 is maintained under an at least partially compressed load, when the first member 26 pivots away from the second member 28 under the actuating force of the actuating member 51, the intermediate spring member 38 continues to apply a spring bias to the second member 28, which maintains the second member 28 stationary about the second pivot axis 36 and in engagement with the striker pin 20. Between the time interval of time 0(T0) and time 1(T1), the middle spring member 38 is in a fully expanded state due to its internal spring force as the first member 26 continues its pivoting about the first pivot axis 32 along the CCW. Since the intermediate spring member 38 is attached to both the first member 26 and the second member 28, as the first member 26 continues its pivotal movement in the CCW direction, the intermediate spring member 38 exerts a pulling bias on the second member 28 as it is pulled in the CCW direction by the first member 26. In turn, the second member 28 is caused to pivot about the second pivot axis 36 in the CCW under the pulling bias of the intermediate spring member 38, whereupon the second member 28 begins to disengage from the striker 20.

In fig. 7, the intermediate spring member 38 compresses as the first member 26 continues to pivot about the first pivot axis 32, and thus the second member 28, about the second pivot axis 36 along the CCW. At time 1, the second member 28 is temporarily stopped or nearly stopped, pivoting with the first member 26 and/or pivoting in a linear relationship with the first member 26, whereupon the intermediate spring member 38 produces a load direction reversal, which in turn achieves a reduced release effort, as graphically depicted in the "release effort" graph of fig. 12C (i.e., a negative slope of the release effort after time 1). Thus, during movement of the hook assembly 24 from the striker capture position toward the striker release position, the intermediate spring member 38 applies a varying spring load between the first and

second members

26, 28, thereby reducing the release effort required to actuate the latch 16. The controlled disengagement/engagement between the second member 28 and the striker 20, which is achieved in the illustrative manner, is based on the interaction of the first and

second members

26, 28 through a coupling (e.g., resilient coupling) with the intermediate spring member 38.

In fig. 8, continued pivotal movement of the first and

second members

26, 28 between time 1 and time 2(T2) is illustrated, and in fig. 9, continued pivotal movement of the first and

second members

26, 28 between time 2 and time 3(T3) is illustrated, whereupon the second member 28 becomes fully disengaged from the striker 20 such that the seat assembly 14 can be pivoted in the direction of arrow a and optionally removed 12 from the floor surface.

In fig. 10, a latch 116 constructed in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure is shown, wherein like reference numerals differing by a factor of 100 are used to identify similar features.

Latch 116 is similar to latch 16; however, the latch 116 is provided for heavier use via modification of the first member 126. The first member 126 may be constructed of increased thickness metal, and for ease of manufacture, the first member 126 may include a plurality of generally planar plates 126, 126' shown as a pair in side-by-side abutting relationship with one another. Thus, the effective thickness of the first member is twice as thick relative to the first member 26 discussed above. It should be appreciated that the gap 162 in the second member 128 suitably increases in width to receive the pair of first members 126, 126 'for pivotal movement of the pair of first members 126, 126' in the gap 162. In other respects, latch 116 functions the same as discussed above for latch 16, and therefore, further discussion is not deemed necessary.

According to another aspect, as shown in fig. 11, a method 1000 of reducing release drain on latches 16, 116 of door 11 and/or seat assembly 14 from a striker capture position to a striker release position to allow pivotal movement of door 11 from a closed state to an open state and to allow pivotal movement of seat assembly 14 relative to vehicle floor panel 12 is provided. For example, the method 1000 may include providing the seat assembly 14 with the latches 16, 116, the latches 16, 116 being movable between a striker capture position, in which the striker 20 is captured by the latches 16, 116, and a striker release position, in which the striker 20 is released from the latches 16, 116. The method 1000 includes the step 1004: a hook assembly 24, 124 of the latch 16, 116 is provided, the hook assembly 24, 124 having a first member 26, 126 'and a second member 28, 128 pivotal relative to one another, wherein the second member 28, 128 is configured to lock with the striker 20, 20' when in the striker capture position. In addition, step 1006 configures the second member 28, 128 of the hook assembly 24, 124 to pivot out of engagement with the striker 20, 20 'under the bias of the intermediate spring member 38 directly in response to the pivotal movement of the first member 26, 126'. Further, the method 1000 may include the step 1008: the intermediate spring member 38 is configured to impart a varying nonlinear spring load between the first and

second members

26, 126', 28, 128 during movement of the hook assembly 24, 124 from the striker capture position toward the striker release position.

According to another aspect, the method may further comprise: noise is reduced when the latch 16, 116 is in the striker capture position by biasing the second member 28, 128 into engagement with the striker 20, 20' via the intermediate spring member 38 when the latch 16, 116 is in the striker capture position.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The various elements or features of a particular embodiment may also be varied in a number of ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts disclosed in association with the example detection system may be implemented into many other systems as well to control one or more operations and/or functions.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be understood with reference to the following numbered paragraphs:

1. a latch for a motor vehicle seat assembly and vehicle closure panel, the latch comprising:

a housing;

a hook assembly pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement between a striker capture position at which the hook assembly captures and retains a striker to retain the motor vehicle seat assembly in use and the vehicle closure panel in a closed position, and a striker release position at which the hook assembly releases the striker to allow the motor vehicle seat assembly to pitch and optionally slide and/or be removed and the vehicle closure panel to move to an open position, the hook assembly having a first member supported for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and a second member supported for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being spaced from the second pivot axis, and the first member pivots relative to the second member; and

a middle spring member disposed between the first member and the second member, the middle spring member imparting a bias between the second member and the first member to bias the second member into engagement with the striker when in the striker capture position.

2. The latch of paragraph 1, wherein the intermediate spring member imparts a varying spring load between the first member and the second member during movement of the hook assembly from the striker capture position toward the striker release position.

3. The latch of paragraph 2, wherein the intermediate spring member has a first end attached to the first member and a second end attached to the second member.

4. The latch of paragraph 1, wherein the first member and the second member are pivotably supported by the housing.

5. The latch of paragraph 1, further comprising a first spring member disposed between the housing and the first member, the first spring member imparting a bias to the first member to bias the first member toward the striker capture position.

6. The latch of paragraph 1, wherein the second member is polymeric.

7. The latch of paragraph 6, wherein the first member is metallic.

8. The latch of paragraph 1, wherein the second member has a pair of side walls that are spaced apart from one another by a gap in which the first member is disposed.

9. The latch of paragraph 8, wherein the first member includes at least one hook member.

10. The latch of paragraph 9, wherein the first member comprises a plurality of separate hook members.

11. A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:

a padded seat surface;

a frame member supporting the padded seat surface;

a latch operatively attached to the frame member, the latch having a housing and a hook assembly mounted to the housing for pivotal movement between a striker capture position and a striker release position, at the striker catching position, the hook assembly catches and holds a striker to hold the seat assembly in a use state, in the striker release position, the hook assembly releases the striker to allow the seat assembly to pitch and optionally slide, the hook assembly having a first member mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and a second member, and the second member is mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being spaced from the second pivot axis, and the first member pivots relative to the second member about the first pivot axis; and

12. The seat assembly of paragraph 11 wherein the intermediate spring member imparts a varying spring load between the first member and the second member during movement of the hook assembly from the striker capture position toward the striker release position.

13. The seat assembly of paragraph 11 wherein the middle spring member has a first end attached to the first member and a second end attached to the second member.

14. The seat assembly of paragraph 11, further comprising a first spring member disposed between the housing and the first member, the first spring member imparting a bias to the first member to bias the first member toward the striker capture position.

15. A method of reducing release effort of a latch of a seat assembly and a vehicle closure panel from a striker capture position to a striker release position to allow pivotal movement of the seat assembly relative to a vehicle floor panel or to allow movement of the vehicle closure panel from a closed position to an open position, the method comprising:

providing a hook assembly of the latch, the hook assembly having a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is configured to lock with a striker when in the striker capture position; and

configuring the second member of the hook assembly to pivot out of engagement with the striker pin under the bias of an intermediate spring member directly in response to pivotal movement of the first member.

16. The method of paragraph 15, further comprising configuring the intermediate spring member to impart a varying spring load between the first member and the second member during movement of the hook assembly from the striker capture position toward the striker release position.

17. The method of paragraph 15, further comprising reducing noise of the latch when in the striker capture position by biasing the second member into engagement with the striker when the latch is in the striker capture position.

18. A method of reducing vibration of a striker retained by a latch in a striker capture position, the method comprising:

providing a hook assembly of the latch, the hook assembly having a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is configured to lock with the striker when in the striker capture position; and

configuring an intermediate resilient coupling member to impart a constant load between the first member and the second member to bias the second member into engagement with the striker when the hook assembly is in the striker capture position.

19. The method of paragraph 18, further comprising configuring an intermediate resilient coupling member to impart a variable load between the first member and the second member during movement of the hook assembly from the striker capture position toward a striker release position.

20. The method of paragraph 18, further comprising providing the second member as a polymer.

Claims

1. A latch (16, 116) for a motor vehicle seat assembly (14) and a vehicle closure panel (11), the latch (16, 116) comprising:

a housing (22);

a hook assembly (24, 124), the hook assembly (24, 124) being pivotably mounted in the housing (22) for pivotal movement between a striker capture position, in which the hook assembly (24, 124) captures and retains a striker (20, 20 ') to retain the motor vehicle seat assembly (14) in a use condition and the vehicle closure panel (11) in a closed position, and a striker release position, in which the hook assembly (24, 124) releases the striker (20, 20 ') to allow the motor vehicle seat assembly (14) to pitch and optionally slide and/or remove and to allow the vehicle closure panel (11) to move to an open position, the hook assembly (24, 124) having a first member (26, 126, 126 ') and a second member (28, 128) said first member (26, 126, 126 ') being supported for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis (32), said second member (28, 128) being supported for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis (36), said first pivot axis (32) being spaced from said second pivot axis (36), and said first member (26, 126, 126') pivoting relative to said second member (28, 128); and

an intermediate spring member (38), said intermediate spring member (38) disposed between said first member (26, 126, 126 ') and said second member (28, 128), said intermediate spring member (38) imparting a bias between said second member (28, 128) and said first member (26, 126, 126 ') to bias said second member (28, 128) into engagement with said striker pin (20, 20 ') when in said striker pin capturing position.

2. The latch of claim 1, wherein the intermediate spring member (38) imparts a varying spring load between the first member (26, 126, 126') and the second member (28, 128) during movement of the hook assembly (24) from the striker capture position toward the striker release position.

3. The latch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate spring member (38) has a first end (47) attached to the first member (26) and a second end (48) attached to the second member (28).

4. The latch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first member (26, 126, 126') and the second member (28, 128) are pivotably supported by the housing (22).

5. The latch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a first spring member (52) disposed between the housing and the first member (26, 126, 126 '), the first spring member (52) imparting a bias to the first member (26, 126, 126 ') to bias the first member (26, 126, 126 ') toward the striker pin capture position.

6. The latch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second member (28, 128) is polymeric.

7. The latch according to claim 6, wherein the first member (26, 126, 126') is metallic.

8. The latch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second member (28, 128) has a pair of side walls (60a, 60b), the pair of side walls (60a, 60b) being spaced apart from one another by a gap (62, 162), the first member (26, 126, 126') being disposed in the gap (62, 162).

9. The latch according to claim 8, wherein the first member (126, 126') comprises a plurality of separate hook-shaped members.

10. A method of reducing release drain on a latch (16, 116) of a seat assembly (14) and a vehicle closure panel (11) from a striker capture position to a striker release position to allow pivotal movement of the seat assembly (14) relative to a vehicle floor panel (12) or to allow movement of the vehicle closure panel (11) from a closed position to an open position, the method comprising:

providing a hook assembly (24, 114) of the latch (16, 116), the hook assembly (24, 114) having a first member (26, 126, 126 ') and a second member (28, 128), wherein the second member (28, 128) is configured to lock with a striker (20, 20') when in the striker capture position; and

configuring the second member (28, 128) of the hook assembly (24, 124) to pivot out of engagement with the striker pin (20) under the bias of an intermediate spring member (38) directly in response to pivotal movement of the first member (26, 126, 126').